Without knowing the premise for “The Fanatic,” just knowing that the film stars John Travolta and is from the mind of Fred Durst, it’s clear that it’s going to be bananas. And sure enough, after watching the trailer for the film, I can safely say that I’m equally horrified and elated by what is shown.
The trailer for “The Fanatic” paints the film as a fairly typical stalker-thriller that has Travolta playing an obsessed fan that takes his love of an actor to a dangerous level when he’s turned away from getting an autograph. There’s a very big “Misery” vibe to the whole proceedings. But that buries the real lede here.
The true reason why the trailer is probably going to end up being a viral sensation is based on the character of Moose, played by Travolta. Clearly, the actor and his director Durst didn’t think that a normal person would turn into a rabid fan. Instead, Moose is shown to be someone that is very clearly mentally ill, and perhaps even disabled. But the way in which Travolta portrays the character seems to throw caution to the wind, as he’s shown to be completely socially inept and dressed almost like a cartoon character. Moose is sure to get people talking.
The film stars Travolta alongside Devon Sawa. As mentioned, “The Fanatic” is co-written and directed by Durst, who is probably best known for his work as the frontman for rap/rock band Limp Bizkit.
“The Fanatic” arrives in theaters, digital, and VOD on August 30.
Here’s the synopsis:
Moose is a rabid movie fan who is obsessed with his favorite celebrity action hero, Hunter Dunbar. When he is cheated out of his opportunity to finally meet Hunter, Moose gets a little help from his friend Leah, a well-connected paparazzi photographer, who knows how to find celebrity homes. Moose turns to stalking to get the celebrity interaction he feels he deserves, and while harmless at first, Moose’s actions begin to take a dark turn as his obsession grows stronger. As the visits continue to escalate, Hunter Dunbar finds himself in increasing danger.